develop empathy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop empathy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of becoming more aware and sensitive to the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of other people. For example, "I'm trying to develop empathy so that I can better understand and relate to other people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Marketers and business developers should therefore develop empathy for users because failing to see, hear and feel from clients' perspective leads to a sure fall into abyss.

Huffington Post

"When you read out loud you develop empathy toward yourself".

The New York Times

The goal, he said, is to "develop empathy" between the two groups.

The New Yorker

Those outrageous stories children tell that researchers say help them develop empathy and mature?

The New York Times

"That is, when we have an embarrassing experience, we develop empathy for others who have a similar experience...

The New York Times - Magazine

I want our young people to develop empathy as much as I want them to develop their writing skills.

The Guardian

"Children develop empathy from the way they are treated, not just fed and sheltered, but cuddled and stimulated.

Independent

It's how we develop empathy for other people, and the humility to accept our failures and keep struggling.

The New York Times - Magazine

When the snickering stops, perhaps we can examine our own weaknesses and develop empathy for those who struggle as Kennedy did.

The Guardian

The key to overcoming political polarisation, we're often told, is to develop empathy and compassion for people you'd otherwise dismiss as crazy or evil.

The Guardian

That was only the start: "Initially I read people I could identify with, then I started to develop empathy for different cultures and experiences".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to develop empathy, actively listen to others' perspectives without judgment, fostering genuine understanding.

Common error

Avoid assuming you already possess sufficient empathy; instead, actively seek opportunities to understand diverse viewpoints and experiences to truly "develop empathy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop empathy" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action or process of cultivating a specific trait. Ludwig provides ample examples that reinforce this function, illustrating its use in contexts related to personal growth, education, and professional development.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develop empathy" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, signifying the process of cultivating an understanding and sharing of others' feelings. It appears across various contexts, including news, science, and business, indicating broad applicability. To effectively use this phrase, remember that it emphasizes an ongoing effort to improve one's empathetic abilities, rather than a static state. Actively listening to others and seeking diverse perspectives are key to truly "develop empathy".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate empathy

Focuses on nurturing and fostering empathy as a skill.

foster empathy

Emphasizes creating an environment that encourages empathy.

build empathy

Highlights the process of constructing or establishing empathy.

enhance empathy

Implies improving or augmenting existing empathetic abilities.

nurture empathy

Suggests a gentle and caring approach to growing empathy.

grow in empathy

Focuses on personal growth and increasing one's empathetic capacity.

learn to empathize

Highlights the educational aspect of understanding and sharing feelings.

increase understanding

Shifts the focus to broadening comprehension of others' perspectives.

strengthen compassion

Emphasizes reinforcing feelings of sympathy and concern.

promote understanding

Highlights the act of encouraging empathy among others.

FAQs

How can I use "develop empathy" in a sentence?

You can use "develop empathy" to describe the process of becoming more understanding and compassionate towards others. For example, "Reading diverse literature can help you "develop empathy" for different cultures and experiences".

What are some alternatives to "develop empathy"?

Some alternatives to "develop empathy" include "cultivate empathy", "foster empathy", or "build empathy". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "develop empathy" and "have empathy"?

"Develop empathy" describes the process of acquiring or improving empathetic skills, while "have empathy" describes the state of possessing those skills. One is a journey; the other, a destination.

Is it better to "develop empathy" or "show empathy"?

Both are important. You need to "develop empathy" first, which is the internal process of understanding others' feelings. Then, you can "show empathy", which is the external expression of that understanding through your actions and words.